In his first trip since the start of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday travelled to Russia to hold summit talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This visit is being seen as having a wider geopolitical context and signalling.

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What will be there in Russia's defence gift hamper for India? India and Russia had signed a deal for S-400 air defence system in October 2018. India has received three S-400 missile systems. Two are yet to come. The deal can move forward on this. Apart from this, there is full hope of sealing the deal on Su-57, 5th generation fighter jet and Mango shells, which are considered to be the death knell for enemy tanks.

The weapons for which a deal can be signed between India and Russia are weapons that can increase the restlessness of China and Pakistan. India is yet to receive two more S-400s. Some parts of the S-400 are made in India, both countries can make a big decision regarding this.

What is the S-400 missile system?

  • S-400 surface-to-air missile system
  • This system is capable of stopping aircraft, drones, cruise, missile attacks
  • Its range is 400 km with an altitude of 30 km
  • Can track 72 targets up to 400 KM

Russia's defence gift hamper can also include the SU-57, the strongman of the sky. Till now, only the US, Russia and China have fifth-generation fighter jets in the world. Now India can be the fourth name in this list. Apart from Su-57 and S-400, there is every hope that a deal will be reached on Mango shells as well.

Russian defence export company Ros Boron Export has started manufacturing 3VBM17 Mango shells with armour-piercing capability in India. But now Russia wants the gunpowder for these shells to be made in India itself.